LRAB Chapter 76 The Priest's Speed Bump
Chapter 76 The Priest's Speed Bump
Chapter 76 The Priest's Speed Bump
"The Isle of Gods?" Norton asked, following his lead. "Sounds like a very important place?"
"certainly!"
Pai lowered his voice, a look of awe and mystery on his face.
"That's the sacred place where the gods reside, Apayado! Ordinary people can't even get close. But—"
He changed the subject, his smile deepening.
"For distinguished guests with means and a 'suitable' guide, catching a glimpse of the holy site from afar is not entirely impossible—I know a relatively safe path."
Norton, seemingly oblivious to his ulterior motives, nodded with interest: "The Holy Land—sounds worth a visit."
Seeing this, Pai was secretly delighted, and his smile widened: "A wise choice! Then, please follow me, everyone. We'll take a special cloud path that will allow us to avoid most of the patrols—"
A flicker of barely perceptible excitement flashed in Pai's eyes, but it was quickly masked by a fawning smile: "Your esteemed guest is truly decisive! Please follow me; there are special sightseeing boats over there at the dock that go directly to Exit Two of God's Island—it's a shortcut!"
Norton nodded and turned to the others: "Sauron, you take everyone back to the White Pearl and stand by, remain vigilant."
Zoro crossed his arms and glanced at Pai, causing Pai to instinctively shrink back. "Is this guy trustworthy?"
"Whatever," Norton said casually, as if discussing the weather. "Just someone to show me the way."
Pai hurriedly nodded and bowed, "I would never dare to deceive you! I'm just a small-time guide, earning a meager living." "Let's go," Norton interrupted his explanation.
The two left Lovely Street and walked down Cloud Slope to a rather deserted pier.
Several oddly shaped boats are moored here. One boat has a flat hull, huge shells on both sides as power sources, and a device similar to a rudder at the stern.
"This is a sightseeing boat powered by the Wind-Spitting Shell; it's very fast, and it only takes twenty minutes to reach the outer perimeter of God's Island!"
Norton stepped onto the deck, and the ship sank slightly.
"Honorable guest," Pai said, rubbing his hands together, his smile stiff, his eyes avoiding Norton's gaze. "I can only take you this far. Across this Cloud River, there's the Isle of Gods."
Norton paid no attention as the tour boat, propelled by the whirlpool, sped out of Exit 2, and the view suddenly opened up before him.
A vast river of clouds stretched out before us, its waters a warm, flowing milky white, calm and undisturbed, quietly flowing into the distance.
Across the Cloud River lies the colossal, verdant island of God, Apayado, suspended ten thousand meters in the air.
Giant bean vines, like pillars reaching to the sky, entwine the edges of the island, exuding an ancient and heavy earthy aura, quite different from the pristine and light feeling commonly found on Sky Islands.
Ahead, a huge, ancient and majestic stone statue stands on the shore, like an ancient guardian.
Below the base of the stone statue, four deep openings are clearly visible, and the inscriptions above the openings can be read even from a distance: "Trial of the Swamp", "Trial of the Iron", "Trial of the Rope", and "Trial of the Ball".
Even across the vast river of clouds, a chilling aura could be faintly felt.
The shell boat gently bumped into the soft, cloud-covered beach on the opposite shore.
Norton walked straight to the stone statue, his gaze sweeping over the four openings. Almost without hesitation, he stepped into the entrance marked "The Trial of Iron".
The entrance was not the metal tunnel one might expect, but a strange forest.
The trees were twisted and gnarled, their leaves gleaming with a cold, metallic sheen, and the air was thick with the dull smell of rust mixed with damp earth. This was the territory of "Air Guard Captain" Ohm.
Norton's footsteps rustled softly on the leaf-strewn ground.
Passing through the last patch of ironwood bushes that gleamed with a cold light, a clearing appeared.
Ohm sat cross-legged, his hair neatly combed back, round sunglasses covering his eyes, and a long sword called "Iron Cloud" lying across his lap.
The giant dog "Holy" crouched behind him.
"Choosing the 'Trial of Iron' is courting death." Ohm stood up, his voice calm and unwavering. "Here, only those who are absolutely unyielding and obedient to the rules have value."
Norton stopped and asked only, "Where is Enel?"
The direct use of the god's name caused Ohm's brow to furrow behind his sunglasses. "Blasphemer."
Without another word, he flicked his wrist! A large amount of white, tough, steel-wire-like cloud of energy surged from the blade of his longsword "Iron Cloud," instantly weaving into a three-dimensional and sharp giant iron net that enveloped Norton from all directions!
Meanwhile, the giant dog "Holy" silently darted into the shadows on the flank, waiting for its chance to pounce!
Ohm himself stood behind the net like an anvil, a knife concealing deadly intent.
Facing the encroaching cutting wire mesh, Norton took a step forward and threw a punch at the area behind the mesh, directly in front of Ohm.
The moment the fist was thrown, the air in front of him emitted a muffled sound as if it had been compressed to the extreme.
boom!
The tough barbed wire twisted and stretched to its limit before the fist actually arrived, snapping and shattering!
It turned into countless white fluff particles that drifted helplessly in the sky!
The force of the punch pierced through the collapsing iron netting and continued forward, unstoppable!
Ohm had only raised his knife halfway.
His sunglasses reflected the enlarged fist and the transparent shockwave behind it.
boom! ! ! !
A muffled thud as his chest collapsed! Ohm was sent flying backward, crashing through several ironwood trees behind him before finally slamming into the ground some distance away, rolling several times before collapsing motionless.
The long sword slipped from his hand and plunged diagonally into the ground. The giant dog was thrown over by the aftershock, whimpering and fainting.
Norton withdrew his fist, continued walking without stopping, crossed the clearing, and steadily headed into the depths of the forest.
Only after his figure disappeared did faint sounds of shock, anger, and the sound of air being torn apart come from the directions of the other three trial entrances.
"ohm?!"
"The aura has vanished?!"
"Someone has passed the 'Trial of Iron'? That's fast!"
Only now did Geedaz of the Swamp Trial, Shura of the Rope Trial, and Daigo of the Forest Trial realize this.
But Norton's speed far exceeded their reaction time; from crossing the river, entering the trial, defeating Ohm, to leaving, it was all done in one go.
By the time they attempted to intercept or rendezvous, Norton had already embarked on a clear path to the summit.
The long approach to the "Shrine of the Gods".
They couldn't even make out what the intruders looked like.
at the same time.
pier.
Beneath the sea of clouds, a colossal shadow erupted! The Express Shrimp's deep blue claws ripped through the clouds, clamping down with terrifying force on the keel of the White Pearl!
Amidst the scraping sounds, the entire ship was violently towed away from its berth and began to glide wildly across the sea of clouds!
"What's going on!"
"Suddenly, a giant lobster appeared!"
Hold on tight!!
Zoro's roar came at the same time as the ship tilted violently.
Chaos erupted on the deck in an instant, with items flying everywhere and sailors screaming.
The express shrimp moved at an astonishing speed, turning the sea of clouds on both sides into white torrents, and the lovely street quickly disappeared into the distance.
The loud noise startled the predators below the clouds.
A dense swarm of skyfish appeared behind the stern, tearing through the clouds, their sharp teeth menacing, as the scarlet-eyed boy pursued relentlessly.
Bang bang bang!
The muskets fired, wounding several of the vanguard, but the smell of blood only fueled the fish. More skyfish gathered, leaping from the clouds and swarming towards the ship's side!
Zoro's sword flashed and cut down the flying fish, while Zeff kicked and smashed the fish heads that were biting at the hull, but their numbers seemed endless.
The Express Shrimp didn't care at all, dragging the boat towards a huge whirlpool of clouds, and boldly dived down!
The world spun around! The clouds surged, and the light dimmed.
After an unknown period of time, the drag suddenly loosened.
The White Pearl was thrown into the center of a vast, circular, desolate cloud lake.
The express shrimp loosened its claws and sank to the bottom, disappearing completely.
The ship slowly turned and came to a stop. A deathly silence descended, broken only by heavy breathing.
The clouds over the lake began to churn.
Dorsal fins, more dorsal fins, emerge from beneath the lake surface.
It wasn't an air fish, but something much bigger and more ferocious—an air shark.
Their eyes gleamed with an eerie green light in the dim light as they slowly circled the White Pearl, as if waiting for the signal to start their meal.
"We're trapped."
Fu Ning's voice was calm, but her fingers were clenched tightly.
"There are sheer cliffs on all sides, and the riverbed is teeming with those monsters. The boat can't move."
Although it's unclear what exactly happened, that's no longer important. What we need to think about is how to get through this dangerous situation.
Zoro looked around, all three swords already drawn: "Charge out!"
"There are too many of them, and they're in the water." Zeff shook his head. "We can fight them, but the ordinary crew will suffer heavy casualties."
Nami's face turned pale. Suddenly remembering something, she pulled something out of her pocket—the whistle Gan Fall had given her.
"That old man seemed to say that if you blow the whistle, he will appear." Nami looked at Funing.
Fu Ning took the whistle and, without hesitation, put it to her lips.
Take a deep breath.
Beep!
The whistle was sharp, echoing through the enclosed cloud lake, striking the cloud walls and creating layers of reverberation.
One second, two seconds, three seconds—
No response.
"Damn it, have we been scammed?" a sailor said in despair.
Before he could finish speaking...
Above the cloud wall, came the sound of flapping wings.
A pink spotted bird broke through the clouds and swooped down!
On the bird's back, Gan Fall held a long spear, his armor gleaming in the cloud light.
"Hasso! Looks like you're in big trouble!"
Gan Fall reined in the bird in mid-air, looking down at the White Pearl surrounded by air sharks.
"This is the altar of living sacrifices," the place where God punishes the most serious offenders. Just how serious a crime have you committed?"
"Stop talking nonsense! Help!" Zoro roared.
Gan Fall sighed: "The consulting fee was 5 million Axes, plus this time, it's 10 million Axes. Remember to pay."
"Of course!" Nami took a deep breath. "Anyway, please tell us how to get out of here!"
At this moment, Norton stepped onto the last stone step at the end of the path.
Before me stood the magnificent Golden Bell Tower complex, the shrine gates wide open, their interior shimmering with golden light that dazzled the eye.
Even stronger was the terrifying pressure that was omnipresent and made one's skin tingle slightly, as if one were standing in the core of an impending thunderstorm.
He entered the shrine.
In the center of the spacious hall, on the tall golden throne, Enel leaned lazily.
Earlobes reaching his chest, four taiko drums engraved with magatama on his back, a bare upper body and white lantern pants, and a face that seemed to be smiling but not smiling, full of absolute indifference and confidence.
"Oh my god—that's astonishing speed." Enel slowly sat up straight, golden arcs of electricity crackling in his narrow pupils. "My useless underlings can't even make you pause for a moment?"
Norton stood at the entrance of the hall, dozens of meters away from the throne, calmly watching this "god".
"I have no interest in small fry." Norton grinned. "You're Enel? The user of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit?"
"Exactly." Enel's lips curled into a smile, with a hint of amusement at looking down on ants.
He slightly raised his hand, and with a "crack" from his fingertips, a cluster of dazzling sparks flew up.
"The Kingdom of God does not welcome unauthorized intruders. Especially not—a fool like you who has no sense of reverence."
The moment he finished speaking, Enel's figure vanished from the Golden Throne!
No, it didn't disappear, it turned into lightning!
A massive, dazzling golden bolt of lightning appeared out of thin air directly above Norton's head at a speed that was impossible to react to, and crashed down!
Boom!
A deafening clap of thunder instantly filled the entire shrine!
A violent burst of lightning energy exploded, and the blinding light engulfed the spot where Norton stood. The golden floor was charred, cracked, and melted by the lightning strike!
The scorching heat and the smell of ozone from ionized air suddenly spread in all directions!
Enel's figure reformed where the lightning had dissipated, still sitting on the throne as if he had never moved.
He leisurely picked at his ear.
"Ten million volts - Divine Judgment. Using this move against weaklings would be a waste."
He said lazily, his gaze fixed on the lingering shimmer of lightning and smoke, "There shouldn't even be any ash left—"
His words came to an abrupt end.
The smoke and dust slowly dissipated.
On the charred, cracked golden floor, Norton stood still, his silver hair fluttering slightly in the lingering arcs of electricity, his black, close-fitting clothes showing no obvious scorch marks. He raised his hand and patted away non-existent dust from his shoulder.
"It's a little numb," Norton commented.
Enel's languid and mocking expression vanished. His narrow pupils contracted slightly, golden lightning crackling within them.
"interesting--"
He slowly stood up, and the taiko drum behind him began to emit a low, thunderous sound.
"Looks like they're no ordinary small fry."
"Then—"
He spread his arms, and the light in the entire shrine suddenly dimmed. Countless tiny golden electric snakes shot out from his body, dancing wildly in the air, making him look like a thunder god.
"Experience firsthand what the true wrath of 'God' is all about!"
Three golden lightning bolts, thicker and more dazzling than before, sprang from nowhere, not striking down from above, but simultaneously devouring Norton from three tricky angles—left, right, and directly in front!
The sharp, deafening roar of lightning tearing through the air was almost enough to pierce eardrums!
"Thirty Million Volts Thunderbird!"
Three giant birds made of lightning swooped down with a shriek, each containing terrifying energy enough to instantly vaporize steel, sealing off all escape routes!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A blinding burst of lightning completely engulfed Norton's figure!
Violent arcs of electricity leaped and bounced wildly between the ground, walls, and golden pillars, illuminating the entire shrine as if it were daytime! A scorching heatwave and a strong smell of ozone swept through the area once more!
The lightning lasted for a full three seconds before gradually dissipating.
Enel squinted.
Where the smoke and electric arcs had dissipated, Norton still stood in the same spot.
I looked down at my arm and saw several spots where the skin was slightly red, as if it had been scalded by hot water, but there wasn't even a scorch mark.
He moved his shoulders, making a slight "crack" sound.
"A little hotter than before," Norton said, his tone as calm as if he were assessing the temperature of bathwater. "Is it hotter?"
For Norton, who had broken through the limits of human physicality, this level of lightning was nothing.
"Arrogant!" Enel's facial muscles twitched, then he shouted and slammed his hands together in front of his chest!
It's sizzling!
This time, the lightning strikes were no longer scattered. Centered on him, an extremely dazzling azure lightning bolt exploded and spread out in a spherical pattern!